Hallgrimskirkja Church

Hallgrimskirkja church

The Reykjavik audio-guided tour leads you to the emblematic Hallgrimskirkja church, which dominates the city from the top of the hill. A Lutheran place of worship and the tallest monument on the island, it is discovered with respect, in the calm proper to this kind of building.

The tallest church in Iceland

About 74.5 metres high, Hallgrimskirkja has been the tallest structure on the island since its inauguration in 1986, after forty-one years of construction. Its distinctive architecture, evoking the basalt columns and frozen lava flows of Icelandic landscapes, makes it a unique monument. It bears the name of the poet and pastor Hallgrimur Petursson, a figure of the country's religious literature.

What there is to see

The facade, rising in tiers like a flow of basalt, is striking from the bottom of the street. Inside, the bright nave and the great organ invite contemplation. The tower, reached by a lift, offers one of the finest panoramas over Reykjavik, its colourful houses and the surrounding mountains. The visit is made with respect for the place of worship.

Practical information

Hallgrimskirkja is at the top of the hill, in the heart of Reykjavik, and can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. Access to the church is generally free outside services; the tower climb is ticketed, with hours that vary by season. An active place of worship, it requires proper dress and silence.

How tall is Hallgrimskirkja ?

It is about 74.5 metres high, which makes it the tallest structure on the island since its inauguration in 1986.

Can you go up to the top of the church ?

Yes, a lift leads to the top of the tower, for a fee, for a panorama over Reykjavik and the mountains.